From late 2007, there was an increase in the number of incidents involving laser pointers being directed at aircraft and endangering the safety of the crew and passengers. On 1 July 2008, hand held laser pointers with an accessible emission level above 1 milliwatt were added to the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations) 1956 (the PI Regulations) in an attempt to reduce the incidents involving laser pointers. The effect of this control is that laser pointers are now treated as a weapon as prescribed in PI Regulations.
A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) was required for the decision to restrict the importation of hand held laser pointers but was not prepared. As a result, a Post-implementation Review (PIR) was required.
The PIR concluded that the reported laser light incidents since the regulation was introduced indicate that there has not been a significant reduction in the number of incidents occurring. In addition, it was noted at the time the control was implemented that it would not have an impact on the number of laser pointers already in the community. However, the PIR noted that it is anticipated that the border control will reduce incidents involving laser pointers in the long term due to the reduction of such items available for sale to the general public. The numbers of high intensity laser pointers detected at the border indicate Customs and Border Protection are detecting more laser pointers each year.
The PIR was prepared by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and was assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.
